Name___________________________________________________ Date_________________ Period_______

Workplace Social Skills Fill-in-the-Blank Activity

Because most jobs require that workers interact with people, employers hire and promote those who have strong
social skills. Read the 12 sentences related to workplace social skills and use the terms from the word bank to fill in
the blank lines. Use each term exactly one time.

Word Bank
▪ cooperate ▪ listen ▪ polite ▪ soft
▪ inclusive ▪ manage ▪ positive ▪ understand
▪ interpersonal ▪ nonverbal ▪ self-aware ▪ verbal

1. Social skills are 2. Workers should be 3. Good social skills help

_______________ skills __________________ build strong
(i.e., abilities that are (i.e., knowledgeable of ___________________
less quantifiable than their own emotions, work relationships.
technical skills). motives, and personality).

4. Workers should be 5. Workers must carefully 6. Workers must carefully

_______________ to choose their words, tone, choose their gestures and
all people, regardless of and volume when using body language when
their age, position, or __________________ using ________________
rank. communication. communication.

7. It is important to 8. Employers hire and 9. To be an effective team

recognize, acknowledge, promote workers who member, a worker must
and _________________ have ________________, ___________________
___________________________
the feelings, views, and “can-do” attitudes. and collaborate with other
ideas of other people. people.

10. Social skills include the 11. Having good social 12. A worker with good
ability to recognize and skills includes knowing social skills is genuine,
___________________ when to speak and when respectful, likable, and
conflicts effectively. to ________________ . _________________ of
others.

© 2017 Career and Employment Prep Job Skills Activities: Workplace Social Skills Activities
__________________
 Name___________________________________________________ Date_________________ Period_______

Workplace Social Skills Categorization Activity

Social skills enable employees to interact and communicate with others effectively. Directions: Complete the table
by categorizing each employee action as a workplace social skills do or don’t.

Employee Actions
● interrupt people when they are speaking ● be a dependable, trustworthy team player
● be polite and say “please,” “thank you,” and “excuse me” ● complain excessively or nag others
● stand too close or too far when talking with people ● greet, acknowledge, and respect people
● use positive body language (e.g., smile, eye contact, etc.) ● be open to other people’s ideas and views
● cooperate with co-workers, customers, and managers ● have a bad attitude or negative outlook
● share overly personal information ● be confrontational or defensive
● use mobile devices when speaking with others ● learn how to manage workplace conflict
● let personal issues affect workplace performance ● be an active, engaged listener

Do Don’t

© 2017 Career and Employment Prep Job Skills Activities: Workplace Social Skills Activities
Name___________________________________________________ Date_________________ Period_______

Workplace Social Skills Self-Assessment

1. Read each workplace social skills statement and rate your current ability by circling the appropriate
number. Use the scale of 1 (poor) to 10 (excellent).
2. On the blank lines, describe actions you can take to improve that particular social skill.

Workplace Social Skills Statement Poor Excellent

1. Recognize and understand other 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

people’s feelings, views, and motives.

To improve this skill I can

2. Recognize and understand my own 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

feelings, views, and motives.

To improve this skill I can

3. Communicate verbally (e.g., words, 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

tone, volume, etc.).

To improve this skill I can

4. Communicate nonverbally (e.g., body 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

language, gestures, distance, etc.).

To improve this skill I can

5. Cooperate and interact with others. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

To improve this skill I can

6. Possess a positive, “can-do” attitude. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

To improve this skill I can

7. Manage conflict and uncertainty. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

To improve this skill I can

8. Welcome and include other people. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

To improve this skill I can

© 2017 Career and Employment Prep Job Skills Activities: Workplace Social Skills Activities
Name___________________________________________________ Date_________________ Period_________

Workplace Social Skills Multiple Choice Questions

Circle the letter of the best answer. Read all choices before responding.

1. Darius enters his office building and sees 5. Mike and Ava cannot decide on the best
his supervisor, Amy. Darius should way to solve a problem. Their discussion
becomes very heated. Mike decides the
a. only speak if Amy says something.
best way to handle this situation is to
b. smile, make eye contact, and say “good
a. ask that they continue the discussion
morning, Amy.”
later, giving them time to calm down
c. nod at Amy. and reflect on the situation.
d. look at the floor and say “hello.” b. make an inappropriate joke to lighten
the mood.
2. Carla is a salesperson and is a naturally c. cross his arms and glare at Ava.
friendly person. An appropriate form of
d. tell Ava exactly what he thinks of her.
physical contact Carla can use at work is
a. shaking hands to greet someone. 6. Julian learns that Mia has received the
company’s annual safety award. Because
b. rubbing a co-worker’s shoulders if he
he has good social skills, Julian
or she appears stressed.
a. grabs, hugs, and kisses her.
c. tapping a customer on the shoulder to
get his or her attention. b. tells her “congratulations!”
d. any of the above. c. reminds Mia that he received the same
award last year.
3. A customer tells Antonio, a service tech-
d. does all of the above.
nician, about the problems with her laptop.
To demonstrate he is listening, Antonio
7. Georgia attends her office’s annual party.
a. finishes her sentences. Because Georgia has good social skills, she
b. interrupts her several times to make a a. makes an effort to talk to as many
comment. people as possible.
c. makes eye contact, nods, and asks b. invites a newly hired employee to eat
questions when she is done speaking. at her table.
d. does all of the above. c. thanks the organizers of the party.

4. Aisha eats lunch with her co-workers in the d. does all of the above.
company’s break room. Because she has
good social skills, Aisha always 8. Lamar’s boss brings in a cake to celebrate
Anika’s birthday. Because Lamar has good
a. cleans up her mess when done. social skills, he
b. uses proper utensils and a napkin. a. thanks his boss for the cake.
c. participates in the group conversation, b. wishes Anika a happy birthday.
but does not talk while chewing.
c. volunteers to help pass out the plates.
d. does all of the above.
d. does all of the above.

© 2017 Career and Employment Prep Job Skills Activities: Workplace Social Skills Activities
Name___________________________________________________ Date_________________ Period_________

Workplace Social Skills Free Response Questions

Use complete sentences to answer the following questions.

1. Imagine you are a service technician for the A 2. What distance (in feet) do you think is ideal
to Z Repair Company. How would you when talking to someone at work? Explain.
verbally introduce yourself to a new customer?

What types of nonverbal communication How does this differ from the distance you
would you use? use when interacting with friends and family?

3. Imagine you are eating lunch with co-workers 4. What should you say or do if a workplace
in the company’s break room. Why should situation upsets or stresses you?
you participate in the group’s conversation?

Why should you balance speaking and listening What should you not say or do if a workplace
(i.e., not talking too much or too little)? situation upsets or stresses you?

© 2017 Career and Employment Prep Job Skills Activities: Workplace Social Skills Activities
Name___________________________________________________ Date_________________ Period_______

Workplace Social Skills Word Search

Directions: Find the workplace social skills within the box. The words may be vertical, horizontal, diagonal, or
backwards.

Workplace Social Skills

adaptable composed friendly likable sensitive
appropriate confident genuine perceptive sincere
aware cooperative humble polite supportive
caring empathetic inclusive positive tolerant
collaborative engaged interactive respectful welcoming

e a c o l l a b o r a t i v e l i k a
m n g e n u f r i p o s i t i b c p s
p x g c o l r c a o a p p r o e o e u
a o e a d a i n l s e n s i r f o r p
t c l d g g e n u i n e u a e i p c p
h o h i n e n e m t k q w c s n e e o
e o u i t a d l i i t a w o p c r p r
t p r f r e l a w v o c b m e l a t t
i a d a p t y e s e l o e l c u t i i
c p i n t e r a e r e n s a e s i o v
o p o s i t i r p e r c e p t i v e e
m r s u p p e m p a a o n h i v e n n
p o i n c c o m p o n o s u u e x g g
o p c o n f i d e n t p i m a m o a a
s r a i c o n f i d s e t b d f b g g
i i s e m p a t u t a r i l a r p l i
n a d a p t a b l e k a v a p i c o e
g t c o l l a b o c a d e s o p m o c
w e l c o m i n g e n u i c o m p o s
e m p a t h y s e v i t c a r e t n i
p a r e s p e c t f u l p o s i t i t

© 2017 Career and Employment Prep Job Skills Activities: Workplace Social Skills Activities
 Answer Key
Name___________________________________________________ Date_________________ Period_______

Workplace Social Skills Fill-in-the-Blank Activity

Because most jobs require that workers interact with people, employers hire and promote those who have strong
social skills. Read the 12 sentences related to workplace social skills and use the terms from the word bank to fill in
the blank lines. Use each term exactly one time.

Word Bank
▪ cooperate ▪ listen ▪ polite ▪ soft
▪ inclusive ▪ manage ▪ positive ▪ understand
▪ interpersonal ▪ nonverbal ▪ self-aware ▪ verbal

1. Social skills are 2. Workers should be 3. Good social skills help

soft
_______________ skills self-aware
__________________ build strong
(i.e., abilities that are (i.e., knowledgeable of interpersonal
___________________
less quantifiable than their own emotions, work relationships.
technical skills). motives, and personality).

4. Workers should be 5. Workers must carefully 6. Workers must carefully

polite
_______________ to choose their words, tone, choose their gestures and
all people, regardless of and volume when using body language when
their age, position, or verbal
__________________ nonverbal
using ________________
rank. communication. communication.

7. It is important to 8. Employers hire and 9. To be an effective team

recognize, acknowledge, promote workers who member, a worker must
understand
and _________________ positive
have ________________, cooperate
___________________
___________________________
the feelings, views, and “can-do” attitudes. and collaborate with other
ideas of other people. people.

10. Social skills include the 11. Having good social 12. A worker with good
ability to recognize and skills includes knowing social skills is genuine,
manage
___________________ when to speak and when respectful, likable, and
conflicts effectively. listen
to ________________ . inclusive
_________________ of
others.

© 2017 Career and Employment Prep Job Skills Activities: Workplace Social Skills Activities
__________________
 Answer Key
Name___________________________________________________ Date_________________ Period_______

Workplace Social Skills Categorization Activity

Social skills enable employees to interact and communicate with others effectively. Directions: Complete the table
by categorizing each employee action as a workplace social skills do or don’t.

Employee Actions
● interrupt people when they are speaking ● be a dependable, trustworthy team player
● be polite and say “please,” “thank you,” and “excuse me” ● complain excessively or nag others
● stand too close or too far when talking with people ● greet, acknowledge, and respect people
● use positive body language (e.g., smile, eye contact, etc.) ● be open to other people’s ideas and views
● cooperate with co-workers, customers, and managers ● have a bad attitude or negative outlook
● share overly personal information ● be confrontational or defensive
● use mobile devices when speaking with others ● learn how to manage workplace conflict
● let personal issues affect workplace performance ● be an active, engaged listener

Do Don’t

be a dependable, trustworthy team player interrupt people when they are speaking

be polite and say “please,” “thank you,” and

complain excessively or nag others
“excuse me”

greet, acknowledge, and respect people stand too close or too far when talking with people

use positive body language (e.g., smile, eye contact, have a bad attitude or negative outlook
etc.)

be open to other people’s ideas and views share overly personal information

cooperate with co-workers, customers, and

be confrontational or defensive
managers

learn how to manage workplace conflict use mobile devices when speaking with others

be an active, engaged listener let personal issues affect workplace performance

© 2017 Career and Employment Prep Job Skills Activities: Workplace Social Skills Activities
 Answers will vary
Name___________________________________________________ Date_________________ Period_______

Workplace Social Skills Self-Assessment

1. Read each workplace social skills statement and rate your current ability by circling the appropriate
number. Use the scale of 1 (poor) to 10 (excellent).
2. On the blank lines, describe actions you can take to improve that particular social skill.

Workplace Social Skills Statement Poor Excellent

1. Recognize and understand other 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

people’s feelings, views, and motives.

To improve this skill I can

2. Recognize and understand my own 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

feelings, views, and motives.

To improve this skill I can

3. Communicate verbally (e.g., words, 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

tone, volume, etc.).

To improve this skill I can

4. Communicate nonverbally (e.g., body 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

language, gestures, distance, etc.).

To improve this skill I can

5. Cooperate and interact with others. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

To improve this skill I can

6. Possess a positive, “can-do” attitude. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

To improve this skill I can

7. Manage conflict and uncertainty. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

To improve this skill I can

8. Welcome and include other people. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

To improve this skill I can

© 2017 Career and Employment Prep Job Skills Activities: Workplace Social Skills Activities
 Answer Key
Name___________________________________________________ Date_________________ Period_________

Workplace Social Skills Multiple Choice Questions

Circle the letter of the best answer. Read all choices before responding.

1. Darius enters his office building and sees 5. Mike and Ava cannot decide on the best
his supervisor, Amy. Darius should way to solve a problem. Their discussion
becomes very heated. Mike decides the
a. only speak if Amy says something.
best way to handle this situation is to
b. smile, make eye contact, and say “good
a. ask that they continue the discussion
morning, Amy.”
later, giving them time to calm down
c. nod at Amy. and reflect on the situation.
d. look at the floor and say “hello.” b. make an inappropriate joke to lighten
the mood.
2. Carla is a salesperson and is a naturally c. cross his arms and glare at Ava.
friendly person. An appropriate form of
d. tell Ava exactly what he thinks of her.
physical contact Carla can use at work is
a. shaking hands to greet someone. 6. Julian learns that Mia has received the
company’s annual safety award. Because
b. rubbing a co-worker’s shoulders if he
he has good social skills, Julian
or she appears stressed.
a. grabs, hugs, and kisses her.
c. tapping a customer on the shoulder to
get his or her attention. b. tells her “congratulations!”
d. any of the above. c. reminds Mia that he received the same
award last year.
3. A customer tells Antonio, a service tech-
d. does all of the above.
nician, about the problems with her laptop.
To demonstrate he is listening, Antonio
7. Georgia attends her office’s annual party.
a. finishes her sentences. Because Georgia has good social skills, she
b. interrupts her several times to make a a. makes an effort to talk to as many
comment. people as possible.
c. makes eye contact, nods, and asks b. invites a newly hired employee to eat
questions when she is done speaking. at her table.
d. does all of the above. c. thanks the organizers of the party.

4. Aisha eats lunch with her co-workers in the d. does all of the above.
company’s break room. Because she has
good social skills, Aisha always 8. Lamar’s boss brings in a cake to celebrate
Anika’s birthday. Because Lamar has good
a. cleans up her mess when done. social skills, he
b. uses proper utensils and a napkin. a. thanks his boss for the cake.
c. participates in the group conversation, b. wishes Anika a happy birthday.
but does not talk while chewing.
c. volunteers to help pass out the plates.
d. does all of the above.
d. does all of the above.

© 2017 Career and Employment Prep Job Skills Activities: Workplace Social Skills Activities
 Answers will vary
Name___________________________________________________ Date_________________ Period_________

Workplace Social Skills Free Response Questions

Use complete sentences to answer the following questions.

1. Imagine you are a service technician for the A 2. What distance (in feet) do you think is ideal
to Z Repair Company. How would you when talking to someone at work? Explain.
verbally introduce yourself to a new customer?

What types of nonverbal communication How does this differ from the distance you
would you use? use when interacting with friends and family?

3. Imagine you are eating lunch with co-workers 4. What should you say or do if a workplace
in the company’s break room. Why should situation upsets or stresses you?
you participate in the group’s conversation?

Why should you balance speaking and listening What should you not say or do if a workplace
(i.e., not talking too much or too little)? situation upsets or stresses you?

© 2017 Career and Employment Prep Job Skills Activities: Workplace Social Skills Activities
 Answer Key
Name___________________________________________________ Date_________________ Period_______

Workplace Social Skills Word Search

Directions: Find the workplace social skills within the box. The words may be vertical, horizontal, diagonal, or
backwards.

Workplace Social Skills

adaptable composed friendly likable sensitive
appropriate confident genuine perceptive sincere
aware cooperative humble polite supportive
caring empathetic inclusive positive tolerant
collaborative engaged interactive respectful welcoming

e a c o l l a b o r a t i v e l i k a
m n g e n u f r i p o s i t i b c p s
p x g c o l r c a o a p p r o e o e u
a o e a d a i n l s e n s i r f o r p
t c l d g g e n u i n e u a e i p c p
h o h i n e n e m t k q w c s n e e o
e o u i t a d l i i t a w o p c r p r
t p r f r e l a w v o c b m e l a t t
i a d a p t y e s e l o e l c u t i i
c p i n t e r a e r e n s a e s i o v
o p o s i t i r p e r c e p t i v e e
m r s u p p e m p a a o n h i v e n n
p o i n c c o m p o n o s u u e x g g
o p c o n f i d e n t p i m a m o a a
s r a i c o n f i d s e t b d f b g g
i i s e m p a t u t a r i l a r p l i
n a d a p t a b l e k a v a p i c o e
g t c o l l a b o c a d e s o p m o c
w e l c o m i n g e n u i c o m p o s
e m p a t h y s e v i t c a r e t n i
p a r e s p e c t f u l p o s i t i t

© 2017 Career and Employment Prep Job Skills Activities: Workplace Social Skills Activities